James Wesley Wood
Born on a ranch about seven miles from Santa Rosa, on Guerneville road, March 6, 1873, James W. Wood is a son of Wesley Wood, who came to California in 1857 and located near Santa Rosa, being employed on what is now the Voorhman ranch. Being enterprising, he farmed this ranch for a time for himself, together with the Horn ranch adjoining it. Immediately after his marriage, and after twelve years of successful farming, he bought one hundred and fifty-seven acres of land near what is now known as Fulton, and here he made his home and farmed until his demise. In 1870 he married Annie Warner, of Santa Rosa, the daughter of Phileman and Sarah Warner, pioneers of Santa Rosa, who came there in 1843 and lived there until their death. To Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Wood four sons and one daughter were born: Henry (deceased), James Wesley, Frank W., William H. and Ella W.
James Wesley Wood was reared on the farm, educated in the public school at Olivet, and later took a course in the Santa Rosa Business College. After graduating he and his brother Frank W. farmed the home place, besides one hundred acres that they rented, until the year 1900, when they bought sixty and one-half acres to the south and east of their original holding, both places being farmed at the same time. Five years after this purchase J. W. Wood bought out his brother’s interest and has since farmed on his own account. He owns a splendid ranch of one hundred and twelve acres, thirty-five of which he has in vines, four acres in fruit trees and the balance in hay, grain and pasture. His mother lives on the home place.
In December, 1907, Mr. Wood married Madeline Roat, a native of Iowa and a resident of Santa Rosa, the daughter of Isaac and Sarah Roat. To Mr. and Mrs. Wood one child, James Roat Wood, was born April 14, 1909. Mr. Wood is a member of Santa Rosa Lodge No. 53, I. O. O. F., of the Encampment of the Rebekahs, Santa Rosa, and the Woodmen of the World, of which he is past council commander of Fulton Lodge No. 428. Politically he is a Republican and a hearty supporter of his party in public and in private. Mrs. Wood holds membership in the Easter Star of Windsor, Cal., and the Rebekahs of Santa Rosa. A descendant of pioneers in this western world, Mr. Wood has given evidence that he possesses many of those qualities of indomitable energy and enterprising skill that characterized the men and women who came to this country when it was unsettled and wild. Mr. and Mrs. Wood have a host of friends who honor and respect them and wish them ever success in the “unfoldment of life”.
History of Sonoma
County, California
History by Tom Gregory : Historic Record Company, 1891
Los Angeles, Ca. 1911
Transcribed by Roberta Hester Leatherwood
May 13, 2012 Pages 973-974
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